Improvement in fire-escapes



D. DEMAREST.

Fife-Escapes.

Patented March`1. 1874.

'UNITED STATnsi PATENT rrrcfn.

DAVID DEMAREST, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN kFIREESACAPES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 148,354., dated March10,1874; application filed February 14, 1874.

cape. Fig. 3 is a detail section taken through the line y y, Fig. 2.Fig. 4 is a detail section taken through the line z z, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. My inventionhas for its object to furnish an improved ireescape, which shall be soconstructed as to enable the occupants of one house, in case of fire, toescape into the adjoining house, and thus pass into the street. Jheinvention consists in the curved sliding pla-tes, provided with thelugs, the set-screw, the pins, the operating-rod, and thel hinged orpivoted brace, to adapt them to be used in connection with the windowsof two adjacent houses 5 and in the combination of the rope having asharpapointed hook at each end with the curved extensionplates and theirattachments, as hereinafter fully described.

A and B represent two curved plates, which slide upon each other, sothat they can be contracted and expanded, and which are provided withstops to prevent them from becoming detached by the one slipping fromthe end of the other. v The lower plate A, at its inner end, is providedwith lugs a', to rest against the cuter and inner sides of the lowerpart of the window-frame, to keep the said plate in place. One of theinner lugs, c', is provided with a set-screw, C, which may be screwedagainst the inner side of the window-frame, and thus clamp the saidplate in place. Additional se- A curity may be had by inserting a pin,D,

through a hole in the inner end of the plate A, to rest against theinner side of the window-frame, several holes being formed iu the saidplate A to receive the said pin D, so that the pin may be adjustedaccording to the thickness of the windowframe. The plates A B must bemade of such a length, and of such a curve, that when thc inner end ofthe plate A is secured in the window of one house, the free end of theplate B may reach and enter the window of the adjacent house. To theunder side of the outer end of the plate A is hinged or pivoted a brace,E, which, when the escape is projected from the window, drops down byits own weight. The brace E is curved inward, andA is 'made of such alength that when it swings down its lower end may rest against the sideof the house, and thus brace and strengthen the escape. The plate B ispushed out or extended by means of a rod, F, pivoted to its rear end.

When the window of the adjacent house is open, the forward-or free endof the plate B will enter said window and rest upon thelower part of thewindow-frame, where it may-be secured by a pin, G, passed through a holein the end of the said plate B, to rest against the inner side of thewindow-frame, several holes being formed in the said plate to receivethe said pin, so that it may be adjusted according to the thickness ofthe window-frame. In case the window of the adjacent house be closed,the forward end of the platel B will strike against the sash or blinds,and will rest upon the window-ledge. In this case a perso'n can passalong the plates A B, break open the window, draw in the end of theplate B, and insert the pin G.

His a rope, of such a length as to reach from window to window of theadjacent houses, and whichhas ahook, I, with a sharp point, attached Vtoeach end, which hooks are designed to be passed vthrough the windows ofthe adjacent houses and be hooked upon the inner side of the upper partof the window-frames, so thatrthe rope II may serve as a hand-rope forpersons passingfromwindow towindow alongthe plates A B to hold on by.The plates A B may, also, be provided with a railing along their outeredges, if desired. In case the window of the adjacent house be at ahigher or lower level than the window of the other house, the end partof the plate B may bebent twice at right angles to form an upward ordownward offset, to bring its end to the proper level to enter the saidwindow.

- Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desirc tosecure by Letters Pat ent l 1. The curved sliding plates A B, providedcurved extension-plates AB and their attachwith the lugs a', theset-screw C, the pins D ments, substantially as herein shown and de- G,the rod F, and the hinged or pivoted brace scribed.

E to adapt them to be used in connection 1 x with the windows of twoadjacent houses, sub- DAVID DEMAREbT' stantially as herein shown anddescribed. VitneSSeS:

2. The combination of the rope H, having a JAMES T. GRAHAM,

sharppoiuted hook, I, at each end, with the T. B. MOSHER.

